Avani Avittam - 1

Almost every time I made post on the occasion of Varalakshmi Vratam, I have been tempted to do something for Avani Avittam. This year, I finally decided to start.

While it was Avani Avittam today (Aug 15th) in India, it was yesterday here in the US, and today is Gayatri Japam.  For the first time this year, I decided to use a book that Perippa gifted to do the ब्रह्मयज्ञं and even the general उपाकर्म (particularly the महासंकल्पम् )

I don't remember the occasion when he gave me this book, but I suspect that it was during an Avani Avittam that we performed in the flat (Seapoint Apts) sometime around 2008 or so, with Veda Sir presiding and Appa in attendance.

The book contains a copy of the Giri Trading style upakarma booklet (it says வைதிக ஸமாஜம் , 41, மாங்காடு சாமி தெரு , நுங்கம்பாக்கம் , சென்னை - 600034 on the back)  from 1986 that lists 15-8-86 as Varalakshmi Vratam, and 19-8-86 and 20-8-86 as Avani Avittam/Gayatri Japam respectively.

Luckily, the book also clears up confusion on who should/shouldn't do all of the देव-ऋषि-पितृ तर्पणं .. Generally there are three opinions:
a) anyone whose father is alive should only do the देव-ऋषि तर्पणंand leave out the पितृ तर्पणं (watch from 15:45 on this video)

b) शास्त्रं "allows" for all to do the  देव-ऋषि तर्पणं, but in நடைமுறை it is not so, and so it can be left out (watch from slightly after 6:15 in the video below)

c) everyone must do the full देव-ऋषि-पितृ तर्पणं

The book contains the following note (வியாக்கியானக் குறிப்பு)

பிதா ஜீவித்திருக்கும் போதும் இந்தத் தர்ப்பணம் பித்ருமானாகிய ஸோமன் , அங்கிரஸவானாகிய யமன் , மற்றும் கவ்யவாஹனாகிய அக்னி முதலிய திவ்ய பித்ருக்களை உத்தேசித்து செய்யப்பட வேண்டும் 

I also wanted to post an email from Ambi Anna from 2011

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Dear all:

Avani Avittam falls on Saturday August 13, 2011 and Gayatri Japam on Sunday Aug 14th.

Sama Upakarma falls on August 31st.

Attached are the Sankalpam sheets.

Raja Anna will mail the required poonals to Sridhar & Amrith at the addresses below.

Dr. Sridhar Seshagiri

<snip>

Amrith Ram

<snip>

Sridhar / Amrith: Raja anna will also mail to you both Mannimma's first anniversary divasam akshathai. You know what to do with it.

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विश्वामित्रपःफलां प्रियतरां विप्रालिसंसेवितां
नित्यानित्यविवेकदां स्मितमुखीं खण्डेन्दुभूषोज्ज्वलाम् ।
ताम्बूलारुणभासमानवदनां मार्ताण्डमध्यस्थितां
गायत्रीं हरिवल्लभां त्रिणयनां ध्यायामि पञ्चाननाम् ||

May Gayatri Devi bless us all !